Police – who have now launched a murder investigation into his death – said he died of his injuries on Saturday afternoon.

Mrs Blunton, 46, said: “I feel terrible. He loved my daughter Megan, who has Down’s Syndrome. He was always taking her fishing and to the football.”

His cousin Charlie Blunton, 20, said: “He always had a smile on his face and he loved dancing, he loved a party and he was a big Glasgow Rangers fan. He was like a big brother to me. I could talk to him about anything and he has always been there for me.”

Cousin Bobby Blunton, 17, said: “He was just such a loving person.”

It is understood his mother, father and sister, who all live in Glasgow, had travelled down to be at his bedside. Mr Hill also has a son and a daughter who live in Glasgow.

A police spokesman said: “Thomas Hill was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Tuesday morning before being transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital. Sadly, he died of his injuries on Saturday.

n Michael Cocker of Fielding Crescent, Blackburn has been charged with murder and will appear before Blackburn magistrates this morning.